The world’s system for protecting refugees is broken. This is apparent everywhere, from Australia’s sprawling camps to South Sudan’s brutal streets and from Europe’s closed borders to the icy waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
Refugees are people who have been forced to flee their homes due to persecution, conflict or severe adversity and are unable to return home because it is unsafe or would not be sustainable. People who are internally displaced due to conflict or disaster but do not meet the legal definition of refugee can still be protected, but they must be hosted by a country that is able to provide them with the bare necessities and protect their rights.
This is not an easy task. Many host countries are struggling to cope and are often not equipped to deal with a sudden influx of people requiring shelter, healthcare and education. The protracted nature of most conflicts means that refugees can be displaced for years, sometimes decades. In addition, many refugees are pushed into the informal economy and often become vulnerable to exploitation.
The international community has a responsibility to address the root causes of displacement. We need to work together to save lives and provide the support needed for families to rebuild their livelihoods. This starts with putting people’s needs first, which means rethinking how we approach the issue of refugees. This should be done by addressing the reasons why they leave their homes in the first place, including political instability, conflict and human rights abuses.
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